Ohio State Fair 2026- Reminders

Ohio State Fair 2026 – Reminders

Crossbred Heifer DNA Kits: To be eligible to exhibit a crossbred heifer at the Ohio State Fair, a DNA sample must be filed. Envelopes MUST be complete and returned by June 1, 2026, and returned to the Livestock Department. All crossbred heifers must have a USDA RFID tag (all tags must begin with the numbers 840). DNA Envelopes can be requested via email at l.maurice@expo.ohio.gov. Email requests must be made by May 17, 2026 . This is a different envelope than the Market Beef. A Market Beef envelope will not be accepted for a crossbred heifer. Any animal arriving at the Ohio State Fair with DNA not submitted will not be eligible to show in the crossbreed breeding division (NO EXCEPTIONS). This does not constitute as an official entry; you still must enter online at ohiostatefair.com by June 21 at 1 p.m.

Project Exhibition

Youth must be enrolled in the project they are exhibiting at the Ohio State Fair and a good standing member in either 4-H or FFA. The same animal cannot be used for more than one project per year.

i.e., the same gilt cannot be shown as a market gilt and breeding gilt.
i.e., cannot show market in the county fair and then breeding at the OSF (or vice versa)

Quality Assurance

Advise Youth to have QA completed by 06/01/2026 if not sooner for county requirements to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair.

The deadline to enter livestock exhibitions is 1 p.m. on June 21 except for the Junior Horse Show, which closes at 1 p.m. on July 1, 2026.

Entries open May 15 at 6 a.m.

NEW Schedule

www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/livestock/livestock-schedule

Livestock Competition Info by Species

https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/livestock/livestock-competitions

Livestock Ownership Deadlines

Market animals